The Nazir of the Misseriya has demanded implementation of a proposal by Sudan’s opposition Popular Congress Party (PCP) calling for the division of Abyei between his tribe and the Dinka Ngok.

Mukhtar Babo Nimir said the proposal was accepted by the Misseriya but rejected by the Dinka Ngok. The latter held a unilateral referendum in October 2013 to decide whether Abyei would remain part of Sudan or to become part of South Sudan. The Misseriya, who historically stay in the region every year for six months, were excluded from voting.

“We do not behave like the Dinka. We did not conduct any unilateral referendum,” Nimir said in a press statement in Khartoum on 13 November. “Also, the Dinka attempted to attack the visiting delegation of the African Union in Abyei but the Misseriya received them with respect,” he added.

On 10 November the African Union (AU) explained it could agree with the unilateral referendum without taking the Misseriya residents into consideration.

However, political parties including the Sudanese SPLM, DUP and UDP, and the South Sudanese UDF issued a joint statement expressing their full support to the outcome of the referendum. They urged Juba, Khartoum and the AU to equally recognize the vote. Taban Luka, the Secretary General of the National United Democratic Party (UDP), said: “What happened in Abyei is not a referendum but a right of the Dinka Ngok to decide where they want to belong.”

“Recognise referendum”: SPLM

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) deputy chairman Riek Machar has called on the lawmakers to recognise the outcome of the recent unilateral Abyei referendum held in October.

“The parliament should now make its position clear, following the declaration of the vote by over 99% opting to join South Sudan,” Machar said to Sudan Tribune on 14 November.

“The referendum was the final decision of the nine Dinka Ngok chiefdoms and should be respected.”

File photo

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Dinka Ngok shocked by AU rejection of Abyei referendum (10 November 2013)